By Robina Asido

The Philippines and Japan are expected to discuss General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) during the official visit of Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba to the country next week.

GSOMIA is a bilateral military treaty for the sharing of classified information while ACSA is an agreement to allow the transfer of fuel and ammunition.

During his official visit, Ishiba and his wife Yoshiko will be welcomed by Marcos and his wife First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos in Malacanan Palace on April 29.

Malacanang said Marcos and Ishiba "aims to deepen and improve economic and development cooperation, political and defense engagements, and people-to-people exchanges".

In their meeting "both leaders are also expected to exchange views on regional and global developments, and explore new pathways towards peace and stability under the ‘Strengthened Strategic Partnership’ between the two countries."

It can be recalled that Ishiba and Marcos also met in Vientiane during the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit in October 2024.

Marcos also undertook an official visit to Japan in February 2023, which was returned by Japan’s then Prime Minister Kishida Fumio in an official visit in November 2023. Robina Asido/DMS